Highlights of Turkey & Egypt (with Nile Cruise)

The itinerary can be done in reverse order (starting Cairo ending Istanbul)

The itinerary is flexible so changes can be made to suit your preferences

This package is available year round (your choose your own travel dates)

Tour Itinerary

DAY 01 - Arrival Istanbul:
Arrival to Istanbul Airport and meet for transfer to the hotel. Rest of day/evening then at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 02 - Historical Sights in Sultanahmet:
After breakfast at hotel meet with the guide to depart on the full day regular group tour to explore the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Hippodrome and Obelisk, the Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace (excluding optional extra entrance to Harem room). After the tour, return to hotel with the evening then at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul

DAY 03 - Bosphorous Cruise, flight to Cappadocia:
Breakfast, check out and depart on morning tour that takes you for a cruise on the Bosphorous during which you have views from the vessel of various historical sights that line its shores. The tour also includes a visit to the famous Spice Bazaar (except on Sundays when bazaar is closed). After tour a few hours free at leisure until transfer to airport for evening flight on to Cappadocia. Arrival and transfer to hotel, overnight in Cappadocia. ***For those on strict travel budget we can also arrange for travel by overnight intercity bus instead of domestic flight - let us know your preference.

DAY 04 - Cappadocia with Goreme:
Today join on the full day tour to visit Devrent Valley and Monk's Valley (Pasabagi) where you can find the world famous fairy chimneys. Break for lunch in Avanos, a village famous for its pottery, then on to visit Goreme Open-Air Museum and explore the numerous churches and monasteries with their frescoes. These churches and monasteries where carved from the soft volcanic stone and decorated by Medieval Orthodox Christian Monks around 1000-1200AD. Also view of Uchisar Natural rock castle. Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 05 - Cappadocia with Derinkuyu Underground:
Breakfast at hotel, check out then depart on another full day tour this time starting with a visit to the famous Derinkuyu Underground City which was built as a defence and hiding site during the period of spreading Christianity. Then on to Ihlara Valley and a +/- 4km hike (medium grade) exploring rock hewn churches along the stream. On the way back stop for visit of monestary in Selime Valley and 13th century caravanserai. End of tour with some free time before transfer to the bus station for travel by overnight intercity bus to Pamukkale. **Flights are also available, please advise your preference when using the enquiry form.

DAY 06 - Pamukkale & Hierapolis ruins:
Arrival early morning to Pamukkale and meet for transfer to a small hotel where a day room will be provided for you to have a shower and breakfast. Then meet up with the tour visiting the natural formation of the travertens (cotton cliffs/cotton castle) in Pamukkale along with the ruins of Hierapolis. End of day with transfer to the hotel in Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 07 - Ephesus Sightseeing Tour:
Breakfast, check out and depart on to visit the Ancient City of Ephesus. Here you have the chance to walk down marble streets, view the magnificent Celsius Library and the Grand Theatre, just a few of the many buildings and fountains that can be found in this open air museum. The day will also include visits to the House of Virgin Mary and the remains of Artemis Temple. Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 08 - Izmir - Istanbul - Cairo:
Breakfast, check-out and transfer to Izmir Airport for departure on domestic flight to Istanbul then onwards flight to Cairo. Arrival Cairo Airport and meet for transfer to hotel, overnight in Cairo.

DAY 09 - Giza Sightseeing - train to Aswan:
Meet in hotel lobby with the tour guide to begin the sightseeing excursion with a visit to Memphis, ancient capital of Egypt dating from 3100 BC which contains the beautiful representation of King Ramsis II through his colossal statue. Then proceed to Sakkara to see the world-famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest known of Egypt's 107 Pyramids. At the Pyramids area, visit the Three Pyramids built for Pharaohs Cheops, Chephren & Mycerinus on the Giza Plateau and the mysterious Sphinx. End of tour with transfer to rail station for departure on overnight sleeper train to Aswan, dinner onboard train. **Flights from Cairo to Aswan are also available, please note your preference in the enquiry form. **Extra day & night in Cairo can be added to also include Alexandria if you wish.

DAY 10 - Nile Cruise (Aswan Sightseeing):
Breakfast onboard train, arrival to Aswan and meet for transfer to board on 03-night Nile Cruise. Embarkation before lunch. Then depart with the cruise guide to visit the High Dam, one of the biggest dams in the world and was an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960's. Then proceed to visit Philae Temple which was dedicated to goddess Isis. It's now reassembled at a new site on Agilika Island about 500km from its former site on Philae Island. **Optional extra tours such as "Abu Simbel" and/or "felucca ride" can be added, please note your prefernces in the enquiry form. Overnight onboard Nile Cruise.

DAY 11 - Nile Cruise (Kom Ombo & Edfu):
The cruise sails to Kom Ombo & upon arrival visit The Temple of Sobek & Haroeris, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. The temple stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the river bank. Return to the cruise & sail to Edfu. On arrival visit the Temple of Horus, the largest and most complete preserved Temple combining Pharaonic and Greek architectures. Overnight onboard cruise.

DAY 12 - Nile Cruise (Luxor):
Sail to Esna and Luxor. Upon arrival to Luxor, move to the West Bank of the Nile to visit the Valley of Kings & Queens, a vast City of the dead where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks and filled with treasures for the afterlife by generations of Pharaohs. Then proceed to the foot of the cliff to see the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the only woman who ruled Egypt in Pharaonic History. On the way back to the River Nile, your road passes by the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at dawn. Overnight onboard cruise.

DAY 13 - Luxor to Cairo:
Breakfast onboard then time to disembark. Meet with guide for a morning tour to visit Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple after which the remainder of the day is at leisure until transfer to rail station for overnight sleeper train back to Cairo, dinner onboard train. **Flights available if you prefer.

DAY 14 - Egyptian Museum, Citadel, Old Cairo:
Breakfast onboard train, arrival and meet for transfer. Then depart on full day tour visiting the Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Saladin (with its Alabaster Mosque and Tomb of Ottoman ruler Mohamed Ali), Old Cairo area (with mix of Islamic and Christian Monuments) and Khan El-Khalily Bazaar. Overnight in Cairo.

DAY 15 - Departure:
Breakfast, check-out and as per your international flight departure time meet for transfer to Cairo Airport.

Please use the Booking / Enquiry Form for any questions you may have regarding this travel package and/or to receive a quote based on your preference of accommodation (2*/3*/4*/5*) and dates/month of travel.